Probably of all
geological phenomena, none has been “explained” more often or in more different
ways than that of glaciation. At the present time, as demonstrated by Dr.
Marsden Manson (Science, September 4,
1925), science is completely at logger-heads with itself upon this question.
Reviewing a “Text Book of Geology”, by Professors Pirsson and Schuchert, he
says:

“In this latest
authoritative text we find the following unsatisfactory conclusion, which fully
expresses the general consensus of opinion on the subject, both as to separate
and combined causes:”

“Glacial Climates. As yet there is no accepted explanation of
why the earth from time to time undergoes glacial climates, but it is becoming
clearer that they are due rather to a combination of causes than to a single
cause. Probably the greatest single factor is the high altitude of continents,
with great chains of new mountains (the hypsometric causes) which disturb the
general direction and constitution of the air currents as well.”

“It is
permissible to state, however, that the glacial climates are irregular in their
geologic appearance, are variable latitudinally, as seen in the geographic
distribution of the tillites between the poles and the equatorial region, and
finally that they appear in geologic time as if suddenly introduced.”

Doctors Disagree

Covering in general most of the explanations so far
advanced, and showing their inadequacy, Prof. Manson concludes:

“A distribution
of glaciation latitudinally ranging between the poles and the equatorial region
appears to be contradictory of solar control and manifestly indicates that some
essential factors have been overlooked or omitted in the consideration and
presentation of the problems of paleo-climates; and that ‘other factors’ must
be utilized in place of those which have been strained beyond their limits of
elasticity.”

“This is the
great outstanding problem of geologic history. It is of more importance and
more far- reaching than any other, and geologists have turned their attention to
the minor problems of mineralogy and paleobiology and have let the great
problems of the causes and conditions of paleoclimatology fall by the wayside.”

The Secret Doctrine

The real causes of glaciation are several, and some of
them have not yet been glimpsed scientifically. Says H. P. Blavatsky:

“The ever-blooming lands of the Second Continent
(Greenland, among others) were transformed, in order, from Edens with their
eternal spring, into hyperborean Hades. This transformation was due to the
displacement of the great waters of the globe, to oceans changing their beds;
and the bulk of the Second Race perished in this first great throe of the
evolution and consolidation of the globe during the human period. Of such great
cataclysms there have already been four. And we may expect a fifth for
ourselves in due course of time.”

“The first occurred when what is now the North Pole
was separated from the later Continents.” (“The Secret Doctrine”, Helena
Blavatsky, Theosophy Co., vol. II, p. 138)

“Stockwell and Croll enumerate some half dozen Glacial
Periods and subsequent Deluges - the earliest of all being dated by them
850,000, and the last about 100,000 years ago. But which was our Deluge? Assuredly the former, the
one which to this date remains recorded in the traditions of all the peoples,
from the remotest antiquity; the one that finally swept away the last
peninsulas of Atlantis, beginning with Ruta and Daitya and ending with the
(comparatively) small island mentioned by Plato.” (“The Secret Doctrine”, vol. II,
p. 141)

In general, major glacial periods are caused by shifts
of the poles, accompanied with great continental convulsions, while minor
convulsions also go hand in hand with glaciation, partly for reasons following
logically along physical lines from the geological changes themselves, and
partly for other reasons.

“Ice cataclysms come on not only from the sudden
alteration of the poles but also from lowered temperature due to the alteration
of the warm fluid currents in the sea and the hot magnetic currents in the
earth, the first being known to science, the latter not. The lower stratum of
moisture is suddenly frozen, and vast tracts of land covered in a night with
many feet of ice. This can easily happen to the British Isles if the warm
currents of the ocean are diverted from its shores.” (“The Ocean of Theosophy”,
William Judge, Theosophy Co., p. 124)